Hon Gerry Brownlee
Minister of Transport

29 June 2014

$212 million for regional State highway projects

Prime Minister John Key has this morning announced $212 million from the Future Investment Fund for a package of 14 regionally important State highway projects.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says the government is committing up to $80 million from the package to accelerate five critically important regional projects, with work beginning next year.

These five projects are:
• Kawarau Falls Bridge, in Otago
• Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment, in Canterbury
• Akerama Curves Realignment and Passing Lane, in Northland
• State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays, in Gisborne
• Normanby Overbridge Realignment, in Taranaki.

“These projects are fully investigated and designed, and address current safety, resilience or productivity issues, but construction wasn’t due to begin until late this decade or after 2020,” Mr Brownlee says.

“Following today’s announcement construction on these projects could begin in 2014/15, and be completed by 2016/17.

“The government is committed to fund the next six projects with an additional $115 million and subject to the usual investigations, construction would be expected to begin within three years on each of these projects.

The six projects are:
• Whirokino Trestle Bridge replacement, in Manawatu/Wanganui
• Motu Bridge replacement, in Gisborne
• Opawa and Wairau Bridge replacements, in Marlborough
• Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge, on the West Coast
• Loop road north to Smeatons Hill safety improvements, in Northland
• Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor, in Taranaki.

“A further $12 million will be available to accelerate investigation and design of three large projects in Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and the Bay of Plenty,” Mr Brownlee says.

These projects are:

• Port of Napier access package, in Hawke’s Bay
• Nelson Southern Link, in Nelson
• Rotorua Eastern Arterial, in Bay of Plenty.

“Each project could then be considered for funding under the proposed Regional Improvements activity class in the next Government Policy Statement on land transport.

“By directly funding some of the most crucial State highway improvements, the government is freeing up more funding in the Regional Improvements activity class for other priority projects.

“This funding package also strongly complements the government’s Roads of National Significance programme, ensuring people and freight reach their destinations quickly and safety,” Mr Brownlee says.

Links to maps and descriptions of each project:

Summary of all projects

Kawarau Falls Bridge, in Otago –
• Kawerau Falls Bridge - Picture
• Kawerau Falls Bridge - Map

Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment, in Canterbury –
• Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment - Picture
• Mingha Bluff to Rough Creek realignment - Map

Akerama Curves Realignment and Passing Lane, in Northland –
• Akerama Curves realignment and passing lane - Picture
• Akerama Curves realignment and passing lane - Map

State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays, in Gisborne –
• State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays - Picture
• State Highway 35 Slow Vehicle Bays - Map

Normanby Overbridge Realignment, in Taranaki –
• Normanby Overbridge realignment - Picture
• Normanby Overbridge realignment - Map

Whirokino Trestle Bridge replacement, in Manawatu/Wanganui –
• Whirokino Trestle Bridge - Picture
• Whirokino Trestle Bridge - Map

Motu Bridge replacement, in Gisborne –
• Motu Bridge replacement - Picture
• Motu Bridge replacement - Map

Opawa and Wairau Bridges replacements, in Marlborough –
• Opawa Bridge - Picture
• Wairau Bridge - Picture
• Opawa and Wairau Bridge replacements - Map

Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge, on the West Coast –
• Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge - Picture
• Taramakau Road/Rail Bridge - Map

Loop Road North to Smeatons Hill safety improvements, in Northland –
• Loop Road North to Smeatons Hill - Picture
• Loop Road North to Smeatons Hill - Map

Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor, in Taranaki –
• Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor - Picture
• Mt Messenger and Awakino Gorge Corridor - Map

Port of Napier access package, in Hawke’s Bay –
• Port of Napier access package - Picture
• Port of Napier access package - Map

Nelson Southern Link, in Nelson
• Nelson Southern Link - Map

Rotorua Eastern Arterial, in Bay of Plenty
• Rotorua Eastern Arterial - Map

ENDS

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